Port Harcourt — The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Chief Executive Officer of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Mr. Timi Alaibe, yesterday condemned the gruesome murder on Tuesday night of former militant leader and head of the outlaws, Soboma George and called for a thorough investigation of the murder.

But the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) accused the federal government of masterminding the killing. It, however, did not substantiate the allegation but threatened to resume hostilities.

Soboma was cut down by four men in French suit and driving a Corolla car who accosted him as he was leaving the field around Nembe Street , Town Area, Port Harcourt , Rivers State where he went to play football last Tuesday.

His death has led to tension in Port Harcourt as some militants loyal to Soboma and dressed in police and military uniforms were said to be heading towards town in an anticipated retaliatory strike against the presumed killers of their leader.

In a statement on his behalf by Henry Ugbolue, Alaibe recalled that Soboma was one of the first ex-militia leaders to embrace the amnesty programme, saying his surrender of a huge cache of arms and ammunition to the nation's security agencies on Thursday, 13th August 2009 was a huge boost to the efforts of the Federal Government to end militancy in the Niger Delta.

He said until his death, the former militant leader continued to cooperate with the Presidential Amnesty Office.

"Indeed, just four days ago, Soboma George actively collaborated with the Amnesty Office to draw up a list of 1,000 ex-militants from Rivers State, who will this weekend, proceed to the Rehabilitation Camp in Obubra, Cross River State, to commence non-violence transformational training," he said.

He called on security agencies in Rivers State to "painstakingly investigate the circumstances that led to the murder of Soboma George and speedily bring the culprits to book. Even then, Alaibe wishes to reiterate the dogged commitment of the Federal Government to the pursuit of all legitimate means to instill lasting peace and security as well as sustainable development in the Niger Delta".

In a reply to an online inquiry made by THISDAY on Soboma's killing, MEND Spokesman Gbomo Jomo, however, stated that the organisation's resumption of hostilities would not be based on the killing of Soboma but on the fact that the root causes of its agitation has been left unattended to. Jomo said the killing of Soboma, which he described as "government sponsored assassination, has confirmed their fears about the amnesty programme being a sham.

"Our worst fears have been confirmed with what is clearly a government sponsored assassination against anyone now realizing the amnesty scam. The killing of Soboma by itself will not be the basis of a resumption of hostilities. Hostilities will resume because the root issues have not been addressed by the government.

"The federal government killed him. The control of our resources under a proper federal system of government is what we are asking for and if we do not get it, hostilities will resume," Jomo said.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State government has asked the police to do all within its abilities to ensure that they establish those behind the killing of Soboma with a vow that anyone directly or remotely connected with the killing must be arrested and prosecuted.

Following the incident, some text messages have been flying around alleging movement of some Soboma loyalists have been regrouping with the intention of carrying out retaliatory attacks.

However, security sources said it was not possible for the group to hit back now as they have to establish those behind the hit, plan retaliation and carry it out at a time that will be convenient and catch their opponents off guard.

On Wednesday night, there was a text message that some militants had gathered at a mast belonging to one of the service providers in Borokiri area, soldiers mounted and raced to the place only to see that the area was quiet without any militant in sight. Soboma was shot on the head and further cut to pieces with an axe by his attackers according to eye witnesses.